One year after deadly wildfires, a Manitoba community rebuilds

On the first anniversary of the Lac du Bonnet Wildfire, CTV’s Joseph Bernacki visits the community to see how residents are rebuilding.

For the first time in over a year, Lavina Harding can breathe easy.

One year ago on Wednesday, her whole world went up in flames, as a devastating wildfire destroyed her Wendigo Road home and countless others in the RM of Lac du Bonnet.

On April 18, she finally returned to a rebuilt home.

“I see new hope, and I think that the rest of the way will be a little bit easier than what I did go through this past year,” Harding said on Wednesday.

A lot has changed in a short period of time for her and her neighbours, who live about an hour and a half northeast of Winnipeg.

When CTV News last spoke with Harding in late August - only a foundation was built where her home sits today. A dozen contractors and her strong will drove her to rebuild.

“Every morning I would make a to-do list. I would go through that to-do list. I would realize, you know what, ‘I need a place to live’, so I’m going to go at it hard,” she said.

Harding isn’t the only person returning to Wendigo Road. Shane Robinson and his family have joined several neighbours determined to start anew.

“We’re going to rebuild,” he said.

“We’re just waiting for the road restrictions to finish up here and once the road restrictions are up, we’ve got the guy coming to do the foundation and then start rebuilding the cottage.”

RM of Lac du Bonnet Reeve Loren Schinkel said it is surreal thinking back to the fires from one year ago. He is encouraged by the momentum to rebuild.

“You see several homes that have come up here, since we last spoke out here,” Schinkel said.

“Today is a vastly different day than it was a year ago.”

While some people can rebuild, the community is forever changed. The province named a bridge going over the Winnipeg River in honour of Susan and Richard Nowell who died in the fires.

Schinkel said the RM is better prepared this year should the community face another threat.

“We were the only ones that had that loss of life and that certainly heightens your need to be prepared, how you need to have a better plan in place,” Schinkel said.

More than 38 structures were lost according to the RM. It is not clear yet how many people decided to rebuild or sold their properties, altogether.

On the anniversary, the RM is looking ahead to the upcoming wildfire season. Officials tell CTV News in addition to sprinklers being installed on many of the properties, the Lac du Bonnet firefighters have had extensive wildland firefighting training.

The RM has also received a new side-by-side ATV vehicle to allow firefighters to get into the backcountry to carry emergency equipment and help with search and rescue efforts.

The Town of Lac du Bonnet and the RM have also undertaken a wildfire risk assessment to determine what can be done to reduce risks going forward.